Shocked, I remained on the ground. I had just tripped in camp and fallen backwards onto an eight-inch rock, landing squarely on my sacrum. The pain was excruciating. Was this it? The very first night of our trip and I was going to have to call for an evacuation? Is there any chance I would…
Yes, We Have Winter in Santa Barbara
There is a reason I often head to the southern hemisphere in December and January — these long dark nights are for the birds! I know, I know… y’all are like “you live in Santa Barbara, give me a break”. It’s true most of the days here are absolutely perfect and gorgeous for outdoor adventuring….
Autumnal Adventures
Alternate title: Will democracy stand? The eve of election day is so incredibly fraught the last six years. Of course, I hoped that with the election of Biden (not my first choice, but still…) and control of the house and senate we would move in a more sensible direction. You know, one where a measurable…
Shoulder Season Blues
Baby, it’s hot outside! Honestly, September is always my least favorite month in Santa Barbara. If you don’t live in this region you would never expect it, but it’s general the hottest month of the year here. Over Labor Day Weekend Jesse and I were out in 100 degree weather doing this: When Jesse brought…
Bike School Article in The Town Bicycle
Hello, I have been writing, but just not here! I just finished an article for The Town Bicycle, a new online magazine focusing on women in bikepacking. Please click here to read it! Thank you and hopefully I’ll be back to (not so) regularly scheduled blogging soon :).
In Sickness and In Health in Idaho
I stopped for the second time on the 1,000 foot climb to rest, this time curling up on the ground in the fetal position beside the road. To put this is in context, when I am touring I often have a 3,000 foot climb for breakfast and another in the afternoon; however, today this mildly…
Beautiful Places in Eastern Oregon and Idaho and a Hashbrown.
It was a strange first half of the summer in Oakridge. Between the rain, more rain, hurting my knee and selling my Subaru it was a busy time in some ways, but slow and not bike centered in other more frustrating ways. However, to put the cart before the horse in the title, let me…
The Road to Happiness Starts With a New Bike
Hello from Oakridge, Oregon! It has been a wild ride and since I don’t have wifi at home writing a blog post has fallen low on the priority list. Following a semester of teaching I had a great drive up to Oregon, stopping to see several friends along the way. It is pouring rain yet…
A Celebration of Love: April 26, 2022
On April 26, 2022, our three year dating anniversary, Jesse and I were joined by a small group of friends on the mountains above Santa Barbara. We pledged a lifetime of love, compassion, and understanding in tandem at La Cumbre Peak in Los Padres National Forest. When we first arrived it was overcast and quite…
Update Through Pictures
Life has been high speed lately! I’m teaching, my foot has been improving (incrementally) , and we have been busy in the garden. Though really that barely begins to describe all the things requiring our attention lately. Today is no exception, so please accept this series of photos as a brief update! One of the…